“To win the regular season and the conference championship, I think we're playing a damn good team who's connected, who's solid and who's out to prove a point to the world,” head coach Tom Izzo said. “Those are dangerous teams.”

Opponents have made 10 or more 3-pointers 15 times this season, including in each of MSU’s last five games. Since facing Purdue Boilermakers, MSU has allowed opponents to shoot 43.3% from 3-point range — a mark that would rank No. 1 in the nation.

Co-Captain Jeremy Fears Jr. said their performance in Chicago was not tolerable. Now, he’s looking to make sure the entire team is focused on the same task–winning the weekend. 

“That UCLA game really came down to energy and effort, and that's really not acceptable on our part and our side,” Fears said. “Let's just be the ones to take the fight to the other team, whoever it is, and let's do it early.”

Fears averages 32 minutes per game this season and 35 over the past five games. MSU plays better when he’s on the court, creating opportunities for his teammates.

Fears said fatigue is always a factor. The redshirt sophomore guard had his knee wrapped in ice and an athletic wrap around his ankle after practice Monday. Nothing unusual for a college basketball player, but even Fears said he has to push through the pain.

“Fatigue is a factor. It's kind of something you practice for, like when you practice for two hours, you get used to your body being a little sore, a little tired,” Fears said. “I’m just teaching it mentally and physically, how to fight through a little soreness, a little tiredness.”

The fatigue for Fears is increasingly difficult to manage after the loss of Divine Ugochukwu at guard. Denham Wojcik sees the court when Fears needs a breather. Wojcik, despite tallying just 11 points on the season, isn’t as bad a replacement as some may think. Over the past five games, teams have outscored MSU just 60-57 while he’s on the court. 

The dual attack of Fears and Wojcik, with limited minutes, is still vital for an MSU team that needs all the depth it can get. Fears and Wojcik have become a pair of teammates who bounce ideas off each other, always looking to improve each other’s game. Fears said he talks with Wojcik a lot and he’s necessary in March.

“Denham is a great piece for us. He comes in, does his job, gets guys shots, defends, makes plays,” Fears said. “He comes in and makes plays that you don't think are effective, but it's huge for the team and the squad.”

Another one of MSU’s four captains, Coen Carr, has seen a second-round exit and Elite Eight birth. Carr said he knows how special this time of the year can be but wants the freshmen and newcomers to stay focused on every detail. 

“I just try to tell them, especially the freshmen and maybe some new guys, just to stay focused. Be locked in at all times.”

MSU at one point ranked No. 1 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. Now it ranks No. 13 after three straight games allowing 87 or more points.

Izzo said he’s confident his team can return to its defensive form by looking past the negatives and focusing on its potential.

"I don't want them going in thinking negatively and being scared about it. I want them to think about the positive–that if we play the defense we've played most of the year, we're shooting the ball better, we're turning the ball over less,” Izzo said. ”Those are all reasons for success, and we have to build on those and not take anything for granted."

No matter how MSU prepares for its first-round match-up in Buffalo, it’s still lose and go home. After 28-straight tournament appearances, Izzo knows how pivotal focus and preparation are this time of year.

"Reality at this time of year is to win or go home. I mean, we all understand it. We all know it."